Author & Autism Advocate Monica Holloway Speaks at Parent Chat

Parent Chat presents author and autism activist Monica Holloway, who will be speaking and signing her book Cowboy & Wills as part of the OurSpace program. There is no charge. RSVP to Susan North Gilboa sngilboa@vbs.org

Cowboy & Wills: A Remarkable Little Boy and the Puppy that Changed His Life is Ms. Holloway's bestselling memoir. The day Monica Holloway learns that her lovable, brilliant three-year-old son, Wills, has Autism Spectrum Disorder, she takes him to buy an aquarium. It's the first in a string of impulsive trips to the pet store to buy animals as a distraction from the uncontrollable, terrifying reality of Wills’ diagnosis. But while Wills diligently tends to the growing menagerie, what he really wants is a puppy. And one Christmas, when Wills is six, Cowboy Carol Lawrence joins the family. In Cowboy & Wills ,Holloway tells the story of a boy and his dog. She shares what they discovered -- about devotion, about loyalty and about never giving up. Sometimes it's what you don't know to hope for that saves you.

OurSpace is a collaboration between Temple Aliyah and Valley Beth Shalom, The program is designed to reach and educate children and young adults, who have a variety of learning strengths and challenges, but want to live a full Jewish life. Susan North Gilboa is the director and can be reached at 818.530.4069.